Remains found in Tuscany are likely to be the artist's, proving that lead poisoning was one cause of his death 400 years ago
He killed a man, brawled constantly, rowed with patrons and fled justice while revolutionising painting with his chiaroscuro style. Now, as if to underline how dramatic Caravaggio's short life was, researchers say he may have quite literally died for his art.
Scientists seeking to shed light on the mysterious death of the Italian artist in 1610 said they are "85% sure" they have found his bones thanks to carbon dating and DNA checks on remains excavated in Tuscany.
Caravaggio's suspected bones come complete with levels of lead high enough to have driven the painter mad and helped finish him off.
"The lead likely came from his paints – he was known to be extremely messy with them," said Silvano Vinceti, the researcher who announced the findings today .
"Lead poisoning won't kill you on its own – we believe he had infected wounds and sunstroke too – but it was one of the causes".
Art historians already suspect that Goya and Van Gogh may have suffered from the ill effects of the lead in their paints, which can cause depression, pain and personality changes.